10 Cosmic Junkyard

"I'm... okay?" Johnny uttered, his surprise evident in his eyes as he regained consciousness.

Examining his body, Johnny found not a scratch upon it. In fact, he felt a surge of potent energy coursing through him, imbuing him with a sensation akin to being able to punch through space itself.

His gaze swept across the space around him, observing the lingering energy that surrounded him. While the attraction within his body had dissipated, the faint energy continued to disperse independently.

"Could this energy be responsible for the peculiar changes in my body?" Johnny wondered aloud as he watched the energy gradually dissipate, a flicker of realization crossing his mind.

Recalling the system prompt he had heard upon waking, Johnny queried, "System, what does optimization entail?"

In response, the system promptly replied, [Host, upon receiving a substantial influx of energy from another dimension, the system underwent optimization.]

[All pertinent information has been integrated into your brain for easy access.]

As Johnny processed this information, a myriad of data flooded his mind, leaving him slightly stunned yet intrigued.

"So, devouring opponents not only grants me their abilities but also allows me to enhance those abilities through reinforcement?" Johnny mused aloud, his surprise evident.

He learned that after absorbing a significant amount of energy, the system had been optimized for 'swallowing'.

Previously, after devouring opponents, Johnny could assimilate their abilities, albeit with limitations. While he could utilize these abilities after a brief period of acclimatization, their strength remained fixed at the level of the opponent he had devoured, with no means of improvement.

However, with the system's optimization, Johnny now had two options when devouring enemies.

There are two primary methods by which Johnny can utilize the powers he devours: complete absorption of an enemy's abilities into his own body, or conversion of enemies into points, which bolster Johnny's skills without limit. The more formidable the foe, the greater the potential enhancement.

"System, open my panel," Johnny commanded, eager to assess the changes post-optimization.

Instantly, a holographic panel materialized before him, visible only to Johnny. On the left, his avatar stood, while the right displayed his attribute status.

****

Host: Johnny

Devouring Points: 0

Skills

Fighting (passive) lv3

Fire control lv2

Ice control lv2

Divine power lv1

****

The interface was straightforward, each skill listed with clear descriptions.

Examining his current abilities, Johnny felt a pang of frustration. Though acquired through countless battles in Asgard, several skills remained at rudimentary levels.

"I'm familiar with divine power, able to enhance weapons like Dawn used by divine warriors. Yet, before I could master fire and ice control, Hela nearly ended me," Johnny mused, dissatisfaction evident.

As he pondered, the space around him vibrated, jolting him back to awareness.

"What's happening in this space?" Johnny wondered aloud, his attention diverted by the mysterious surroundings.

Sensing the abnormal vibrations rippling through the space, Johnny's expression darkened. Upon waking, he had been preoccupied with deciphering the changes within himself, neglecting the ominous signs in his surroundings. Now, with the vibrations intensifying, he sensed the imminent collapse of the space around him.

As the resounding rumble grew deafening, the entire space shattered, just as Johnny had feared. Dazzling beams of light pierced through the ruptured space, momentarily blurring Johnny's vision.

After a brief disorienting moment, Johnny's eyes adjusted to the fragmented space visible through widening rifts. He was momentarily stunned.

The once silent and dim expanse now lay fully exposed before Johnny, resembling a colossal mirror shattered into countless shards, each piece reflecting a strange and surreal scene.

Through the cracks, Johnny glimpsed another world beyond—a peculiar planet littered with sprawling heaps of debris, resembling hills that made Johnny grimace in disdain.

"What a dump of a planet," he muttered under his breath.

Yet, his thoughts were short-lived as a massive chasm tore open in the empty space before him. Gravity from the planet beyond seized Johnny, wrenching him from his weightless state and hurtling him into the gaping fissure.

"Damn it! That's a long drop!"

With a curse barely escaping his lips, Johnny plummeted, crashing into a mound of junk with a resounding thud.

After a moment's pause, Johnny's pained voice echoed from within the makeshift cavity. "Damn it! That hurt like hell!"

With a struggle, Johnny extricated himself from the gaping hole he had created. His once pristine form now adorned with a layer of grime and debris, presenting a rather sorry sight.

Despite his embarrassment, Johnny sustained few significant injuries. The unique energy he absorbed in the strange space had transformed his physique, rendering him far more resilient. Additionally, the mounds of rubbish, though unsightly, had cushioned his fall to some extent.

Standing atop the rubbish heap he had inadvertently created, Johnny surveyed his surroundings with a hint of dismay, seeking to ascertain his location.

From his vantage point, he observed numerous colossal rifts in the sky, spewing forth an array of refuse that scattered upon impact.

"Damn it, am I stuck in a cosmic junkyard?"

.....

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